Zuiderdam Review

4.0 / 5.0
1,028 reviews

Mimosa,Warm Caribbean Breezes, Panama Canal.Is this Heaven?

Review for the Southern Caribbean Cruise on Zuiderdam
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tdcruisers
First Time Cruiser • Age 70s

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Sail Date: Dec 2009
Cabin: Neptune Deluxe Verandah Suite

December 3,2009 on the Zuiderdam. Boarding was a breeze. Holland America knows how to do everything with ease, grace & elegance. We were headed for the Southern Caribbean and the Panama Canal. Ten days in Paradise. As the stacks began to fill with steam you could feel the excitement build. All on deck to watch the sail away. Perfect weather smiled upon us for the entire 10 day cruise. First stop Half Moon Cay (HMC), Holland America's (HAL) Private Island. This is an amazing unspoiled little stretch of beach filled only with your fellow passengers. Caribbean Blue waters as warm and inviting as anything on earth. We were fortunate enough to reserve a private Cabana on HMC. With this added pleasure we were spoiled rotten with a Butler & food too abundant & delicious to even describe. Just think RUM filled watermelon fruit bowl. Next stop Aruba. To really get the feel of the Caribbean I think sailing is a must. So off we went a sailing on a Catamaran filled to the brim with plenty of Rum & other such delights. We snorkeled in a lovely cove, danced to sweet rhythmic music and yes we drank rum. The food on The Zuiderdam was delicious & of course flowing everywhere and at all hours. I would really recommend the added pleasure of dining at the Pinnacle Grill. We loved it so much we ate there 3 times for dinner and 4 times for breakfast. The service of all the staff was amazing. Cabin stewards, waiters, bartenders...everyone was always smiling and eager to be of assistance. Even the Sea days were perfect. The SPA has much to offer. I recommend the Hydro pool and Thermal Suite...We went as often as possible & fell asleep in the Thermal Lounges each time. So relaxing after a busy shore excursion or just hanging around the ship. Third port was Curacao. You just have to see it to know its beauty. We went to a small private beach with great snorkeling & no crowds... Cas Abou a short trip by Bus But well worth it...Plenty of Lounge chairs & shade if needed. Formal nights were wonderful. Lots of Photographers around to get some really good photos of you all decked out. There was a mixture of dress. Some very formal (not many) most very nice dressy... Suits, Ties and long dresses or fancy dresses or pants etc. A few Tuxedos & Gowns.. We enjoyed everything form Lobster & Crab to Escargot & Steaks... Crazy but my favorite thing was Short ribs Go Figure... One of the Cruise Highlights was of course the Panama Canal. Arrive at the locks at 5 AM. Mimosas on the bow.. Warm Caribbean breezes, and the amazing adventure of passing through the locks built in 1914. This is a busy busy place. Cargo ships, cruise ships, boats large & small. A slight gentle shower to add to the joy & beauty and the day was a complete success. Next on to Costa Rica. A very proud country. The Switzerland of the Americas. No Army, Totally Neutral and a very peaceful people and place. We visited a banana plantation and took a trip around the canals into the rain forest. WOW what beauty. Wild & untamed. We wished to stay much longer here and at each port...But on we must go.. Now two sea days and back to Ft Lauderdale. We needed the rest. Really... Cruising is the perfect combination of adventure & rest. My Husband gained 10 pounds. That says it all. We loved our Cruise. We love Holland America. Ten days seem to us to be the perfect amount of time. Enjoy your cruise. Every moment of it. We sure did.

Cabin Review

Neptune Deluxe Verandah Suite

Cabin SA

SA7083 Deluxe Veranda Suite with access to the Neptune Lounge on the Rotterdam Deck. AMAZING..could not have been any better Great size cabin with Lots of closet space, wonderful service. Free dry cleaning & pressing included, Invitations to Captains private coctail party. Large Veranda, midship. King size bed , sitting area and small sofa table for in room dining. Very very comfortable.

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